Babuk Locker ransomware removal and data recovery

Here is a summary of an active ransomware campaign distributing Babuk Locker, a threat that boasts strong encryption and uses a double extortion model.

1. What is Babuk Locker?
2. Babuk Locker ransomware automated removal and data recovery
3. Babuk Locker ransomware manual removal and file recovery
4. Ransomware Prevention Tips

What is Babuk Locker?

Having surfaced in January 2021, Babuk Locker is a simple yet competently designed and effective ransomware strain that zeroes in on corporate networks. After gaining a foothold in a host environment, it uses a stream cipher called ChaCha8 to scramble the victim’s valuable data while employing the Elliptic-curve Diffie-Hellman (ECDH) protocol to generate the public-private key pair. As part of the raid, the program creates ransom notes named How To Restore Your Files.txt within every affected folder, which explains what happened and instructs the company to visit a Tor payment page to discuss the recovery options. Another prominent indicator of compromise (IOC) is the *._NIST_K571_ or *.babyk extension concatenated to no-longer-accessible files.

Although the code of this pest’s original version was unsophisticated, its cryptography implementation combined with clever attack methods allowed the operators of this ransomware to quickly build a portfolio of high-profile victims. One of them was the Washington DC Metropolitan Police Department (compromised last April). The crooks infiltrate networks through “classic” breach techniques, with the choice of the vector depending on the weak links in a specific victim’s digital infrastructure. To understand how exactly to sting an organization, they conduct initial reconnaissance and probe the network for RDP deployment blunders, VPN misconfigurations, and vulnerabilities in software used. In some scenarios, a targeted phishing email sets the incursion in motion.

Extortion logic and lateral movement inside a network

Having made it inside, Babuk Locker stops a series of processes that may hamper unauthorized encryption by keeping data open. These include web browsers, database servers, mail servers and clients, as well as backup applications. Next comes the cipher phase, whereby the predatory code applies its asymmetric crypto logic to prevent users from accessing their files. Since the attack is operated manually, the malicious actors use a command-line utility to remotely execute arguments that specify the flow of encryption across the network. For instance, they tend to set the order of mutilating files stored locally and those residing on network shares.

Yet another nasty facet of Babuk Locker is that it extracts data out of the organization’s servers. This stage usually precedes the encoding process. The fact that the criminals have a copy of important files, including customer and employee records as well as strategic business information, gives the malefactors additional leverage when negotiating the ransom amount. It is also a powerful element of pressure. This “steal and leak” tactic is the bitter reality in today’s ransomware underground, and Babuk Locker is no exception.

Once a victim organization realizes its proprietary data is skewed via a mix of encryption and a weird string appended to each record, the above-mentioned ransom file plays its part. It says the computers and servers have been encrypted, and backups are no longer there. To prove that the crooks aren’t bluffing and have a decoding tool, they offer test recovery of up to five files less than 10MB in size. The ransom note also tells the user to open their personal payment page via the Tor Browser. Contrary to most counterparts that include a victim-specific countdown timer and extensive support options, Babuk Locker uses a rudimentary-looking chat feature to communicate with victims. According to some reports, the ransom may reach $85,000 worth of bitcoins.

Whistleblowers among bad guys

The Babuk Locker operation has been through several plots since its takeoff. In June 2021, someone uploaded its builder to a cybercriminal forum. Other gangs serendipitously picked it up to create their custom variants of the ransomware with no affiliate strings attached, including the one that suffixes files with the *.babyk string. In early September, an anonymous member of a Russian-speaking hacking community leaked the entire source code of this ransomware. The dump also contained the key generator, decryptor, and more than a dozen files with decryption keys for different victims. Several security researchers have since confirmed the validity of this data.

No matter how white hats’ work goes in terms of assisting current victims with the recovery, the following sections of this article will help clean up machines hit by the Babuk Locker ransomware. You’ll also find hands-on recommendations regarding alternative methods to restore affected files.

Babuk Locker ransomware automated removal and data recovery

When faced with ransomware like Babuk Locker, one of the best shortcuts in terms of removal is to use Combo Cleaner, a lightweight and incredibly effective application with PC security and optimization features under the hood. It detects and thoroughly deletes threats while giving you insights into the overall health of your computer.

This program’s protection power spans modules that forestall all known types of malware, including ransomware and browser hijackers, and take your online security to the next level by blocking phishing sites and other suspicious web pages. Follow these simple steps to eliminate the infection for good:

1. Download Combo Cleaner installer.

Download Babuk Locker ransomware remover

^{Combo Cleaner scans your PC with no strings attached, but you’ll have to buy its fully functional version to remove the threats it detects. The disk optimization tools that find large files and duplicates are free to use.}

2. Open the CCSetup.exe file to get started. Several subsequent screens will allow you to make initial customizations so that the program works exactly as you need from the get-go.

3. The installation will be followed by an update of malware signatures. Once this process is through, click the Start Scan button in the left-hand sidebar.

4. Combo Cleaner will then check system locations that are most often polluted by Windows malware. The first scan can take a while to finish.

5. Combo Cleaner will display a system tray notification as soon as the scan is over. Click the Resolve found threats button to view the results.

6. The scan summary shows the names and types of the detected threats as well as their statuses and locations. Click the Remove all threats button and follow further on-screen prompts to get rid of these items.

Data recovery toolkit to the rescue

Some strains of ransomware are known to delete the original files after the encryption routine has been completed. As hostile as this activity appears, it can play into your hands. There are applications designed to revive the information that was obliterated because of malfunctioning hardware or due to accidental removal. The tool called Stellar Data Recovery features this type of a capability and therefore it can be applied in ransom attack scenarios to at least get the most important files back. So use the app to get an idea of what data can be restored and let it do the recovery job. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough:

1. Download and install Stellar Data Recovery.

Download Stellar Data Recovery

2. Open the application, select the types of recoverable files to look for, and click Next.

3. Choose the areas you want the tool to recover from and click the Scan button.

4. Having scanned the specified locations, the program will display a notification about the total amount of recoverable data. Close the dialog and click the Recover button. This will hopefully help you get some of your valuable files back.

Babuk Locker ransomware manual removal and file recovery

Some ransomware strains terminate themselves after completing the encryption job on a computer, but some don’t. Furthermore, the Babuk Locker virus may prevent victims from using popular antimalware tools in order to stay on board for as long as possible. Under the circumstances, it may be necessary to utilize the Safe Mode with Networking or System Restore functionality.

Be advised that even after the ransomware is removed, files will still be encrypted and inaccessible. The malicious code cleanup part, however, is important because it keeps a relapse of the infection from occurring further on and eliminates all opportunistic malware.

Cracking the crypto used by this ransom Trojan is more of a science fiction thing rather than an attainable prospect for the masses. This is why the troubleshooting in predicaments of this sort is a matter of two approaches: one is to pay the ransom, which isn’t an option for many victims; and the other is to apply instruments that take advantage of the ransomware’s possible weaknesses. If the latter is your pick, the advice below is a must-try.

Ransomware Prevention Tips

To avoid Babuk Locker ransomware and other file-encrypting infections in the future, follow several simple recommendations:

These techniques are certainly not a cure-all, but they will add an extra layer of ransomware protection to your security setup.

Revise your security status

Post-factum assessment of the accuracy component in malware removal scenarios is a great habit that prevents the comeback of harmful code or replication of its unattended fractions. Make sure you are good to go by running an additional safety checkup. Another benefit of using the antimalware tool is that it will keep ransomware threats from intruding on your computer further on.

Download Babuk Locker ransomware removal tool